Criminal Justice at Metropolitan Community College Area

Omaha, NE · Public · Associate Degree · Criminal Justice and Corrections

with a mid-sized student body of 7,629 in Omaha, NE.

Program Analysis

Metropolitan Community College Area's Criminal Justice graduates start at $28,511/yr, trailing the $39,484 national average by 28%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 72.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Criminal Justice programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Criminal Justice's career paths, with 36% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,424 in median debt clears fast against $28,511 in annual earnings.

At #232 of 469 Criminal Justice programs, Metropolitan Community College Area scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $44,862 show a 57% jump from the $28,511 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Criminal Justice offers 17 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
69
Score
71
High End
Earnings $28,511/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (64% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (480,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$500K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
76.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
20 of 20
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,570
Out-of-state: $9,630
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,424
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,862
57% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Criminal Justice graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
First-line supervisors of police and detectives $105,980 +2.9% 67%
Detectives and criminal investigators $93,580 -0.7% 47%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
$105,980
+2.9% growth 67% AI-proof
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580
-0.7% growth 47% AI-proof

View all 20 career paths with full salary data →

Criminal Justice Career Guide

Criminal Justice opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Criminal Justice career guide →

Compare & Explore

Criminal Justice Overview

Criminal Justice at Other Schools

Other Majors at Metropolitan Community College Area

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Metropolitan Community College Area's Criminal Justice program score?
A score of 69/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Criminal Justice field.
Can you still earn well with Criminal Justice from Metropolitan Community College Area?
Lower starting pay at Metropolitan Community College Area may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Criminal Justice through an apprenticeship instead of Metropolitan Community College Area?
There are 17 registered apprenticeships connected to Criminal Justice occupations, such as Correction Officer and Crime Scene Technician. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How could AI change the job market for Criminal Justice graduates?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Criminal Justice are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
What's the job market like for Criminal Justice from Metropolitan Community College Area?
The career paths mapped to Criminal Justice have roughly 480,600 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by public safety staffing needs and retirement-driven turnover.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →